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Last Updated: Saturday, 30 September 2006, 10:14 GMT 11:14 UK >
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Des Lynam quits Countdown hotseat
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Carol Vorderman and Des Lynam>
Des Lynam will step down after a year as Countdown's host
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Des Lynam will leave TV quiz Countdown at Christmas, his agent has confirmed.

Jane Morgan said Lynam - who took over as presenter following the death of Richard Whiteley - had "thoroughly enjoyed" being on the Channel 4 show.

Lynam, 64, told the Daily Mirror he would go now to "save the wear and tear". Co-host Carol Vorderman said he was "amazing" and was a hit with fans.

Discussions about moving filming from Leeds to London, to make it easier for Lynam, have now been scrapped.

Many fans of the show had been angered by the possibility that the word and numbers quiz would leave its original home in West Yorkshire.

'Good shape'

Mrs Morgan said: "There was talk about moving it to London as both of the presenters live in the South but he was very concerned about how it would disrupt people who had been working on the show for many years.

"He is very sad as he has thoroughly enjoyed it and has had a great time. He has done it for nearly a year and a half and is leaving the show in pretty good shape, I think."

Carol Vorderman and Richard Whiteley>
Vorderman and Whiteley's double act was a hit with afternoon viewers
Lynam travelled 250 miles from his home in Worthing, West Sussex, to the studios in Leeds.

He told the Mirror: "We do five shows in a day which everybody finds extremely tiring. It's the sort of schedule I don't want to commit myself to any more."

The quiz was the first show on Channel 4 when it launched in 1982.

Whiteley - who was the host for 23 years - died days after undergoing heart surgery last June.

Vorderman said it had been "lovely" to work with Lynam.

She said: "He has done an amazing job since taking over following our dreadful loss when Richard died.

"Countdowners have stayed loyal and supportive of the Countdown family and for that we are eternally grateful."

No names have yet been suggested for a replacement.
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SEE ALSO
Lynam Countdown debut draws 1.8m
> 01 Nov 05Ê|Ê TV and Radio
Lynam reveals Countdown anxiety
> 24 Oct 05Ê|Ê TV and Radio
Des Lynam to take over Countdown
> 23 Sep 05Ê|Ê TV and Radio
Vorderman honours 'Mr Countdown'
> 27 Jun 05Ê|Ê TV and Radio
Presenter Richard Whiteley dies
> 26 Jun 05Ê|Ê TV and Radio
Lynam 'too old' to front TV sport
> 16 Aug 04Ê|Ê TV and Radio
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